Themed Vegetable Gardens

Gardening is
often a labor of love, but you could make it a labor of two loves
if you choose the right theme. A vegetable garden with a theme
allows you to combine your love of history, food, and more with
your love of gardening. It can also provide you with homegrown
gifts than can then be accentuated with other accessories. For
example, if you planted a garden with a salsa theme, you could make
your own salsa. The salsa can then be used as part of a gift basket
that might include different types of tortilla chips and a ceramic
bowl. As an alternative, you can gather seeds for a corresponding
theme and give them as a present to a friend.

Here are some
popular themes that you might choose to plant:

Chinese
Cuisine

A Chinese
cuisine garden would include your favorite Chinese vegetables and
other vegetables commonly used in Chinese cooking. Possibilities
include snow peas, radishes, cucumbers, Chinese cabbage, broccoli,
bok choy, and bean sprouts. Of course, you will also want to
include spices commonly used in Chinese cooking such as ginger,
green onion, and garlic.

Colonial

You do not
have to be a history buff to plant a Colonial garden. However, it
is a great way to help teach your children about that era. A few
staples that should be included in a Colonial garden include
carrots, onions, garlic, corn, potatoes, and beans. During Colonial
times, a garden was not just a source of food. It was also the
primary source for spices and medicine. Flavorings that could be
included are sage, rosemary, parsley, and mint. Medicinal herbs
that can be fun to try are calendula, lavender, and yarrow.

Native
American

A Native
American garden will include many of the same plants as a Colonial
garden. Essential to this theme will be corn, beans, and squash;
which was a primary staple for the Native Americans. Additional
plants that you could include are chives, wild lettuce, wild
strawberries, sunflowers, Echinacea, and hyssop.

Salsa

A salsa
garden would include tomatoes, sweet peppers, chili peppers,
onions, tomitillos, and celery. You will also need some herbs such
as cilantro, cumin, coriander, and dill. The tricky part to this
garden is to plant enough so you can make your own salsa without
running out of ingredients. Especially if you find yourself
particularly good at making salsa and find all your friends
stopping by for a taste.

Mexican

A Mexican
garden is perfect for anyone who enjoys cooking Mexican food. Of
course, it would be similar to a salsa garden, but would also
include pinto beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and hot peppers.